US researchers 3D print prototype for Bionic Eye

Researchers have, for the first time, fully 3D printed an image sensing array on a hemisphere, which is a first-of-its-kind prototype for a “bionic eye”, that could someday help blind people see or sighted people see better.

Researchers started with a hemispherical glass dome to show how they could overcome the challenge of printing electronics on a curved surface.

Using their custom-built 3D printer, they started with a base ink of silver particles. The dispensed ink stayed in place and dried uniformly instead of running down the curved surface.

The researchers then used semiconducting polymer materials to print photodiodes, which convert light into electricity. The entire process takes about an hour.